Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Remember my little style series? I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted a feature! Well, I'm happy to announce that I have two new ladies to introduce you to this week. The first is my friend Pam. She and I share a love for cardigans, opaque tights and flowery corsages and headbands. She has a knack for putting together outfits that are fun and flattering and she always seems to have a necklace and the perfect pair of shoes for every outfit.Welcome Pam!

How would you describe or define your current style?Kind of a hybrid of geek chic and 1950's housewife.

What inspires you and the way you dress?TV and movies. All the way. I am a total pop culture junkie.

Do you have any fashion icons or people whose style you love?Yes! I love Emma Pillsbury (Glee) and Annie Edison (Community).

What are some of your favorite places to shop? I love to bargain hunt, but I have a tendency to lean toward pricier designers so TJ Maxx is usually my best bet. I always find great tops and shoes there. I have a more difficult time with jeans. For those, I usually stick to Kohl's or JCPenney. I am pretty partial to Levis.

You are quite the bargain shopper. Can you give any tips or tricks for finding a great deal?I never pay retail for ANYTHING! I always hit end of season sales, clearance racks, and bargain retailers. If you have something specific in mind, don't look for it on a clearance rack though. It always ends in heartache.

Do you feel there are any splurge worthy items---things you are willing to spend more money on?Good bras and a good-fitting pair of jeans. I'll spend more on something if I know that I'll use it often enough to get my money's worth.

What items in your closet do you keep coming back to year after year?Cardigans. I love them. They're so flexible. You can make a cardigan work with just about anything.What are some of your favorite outfits/combinations?I like sweaters paired with big chunky belts. Plaid bermuda shorts. Anything polka dots. The whole "boyfriend" cardigan look has been one of my more recent favorites, especially when paired with some Chuck Taylor's and a cute pair of jeans.

Are there any trends you are looking forward to?I've seen a lot of wide-leg pants recently and I think it's a good look. I am really curvy, so pants with wider bottoms tend to balance out my curves.

Can you share with us any recent favorite purchases?Recently I bought the CUTEST jacket from JCPenney. And it was on clearance for $4!

Anything you are planning/would like to purchase in the near future?I saw the most beautiful red maxi dress by BCBG Max Azria. It had perfect little ruffle details. And then I saw a pair of strappy red espadrilles. I've been thinking about how great it would look paired with a simple white tee and some long, dangly necklaces. Or maybe a flower headband. I can't get it out of my head. It's been tempting me.

What advice would you give someone who is trying to find their own personal style or spruce up their current look?I think the best thing you can do is find what looks flattering on you. Just because something looks great on one person doesn't mean that it will on someone else.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Mitchell lost his first tooth! It has been loose for a couple of months but he had to have it extracted due to an infection that formed on his gum just above it. (Probably had something to do with his past tooth drama I blogged about here.) He handled it like a champ and now he has nice green dollar from the tooth fairy in his piggy bank.

Friday, May 13, 2011

I recently realized that I have done very little to document the small town I have called home for the past two years. Marietta in general, is a small, quiet community nestled right along the Ohio river. And although it's not perfect, it has a historic quaintness that especially shines this time of year. Think old brick streets lined with blooming trees and big southern-style homes, a spectacular farmer's market, a small but beautiful college campus and a downtown bursting with antique shops. There are also several museums, tours and historical attractions worth checking out but you have to know where to look. In an attempt to document Marietta, I thought I'd try to share a few of my favorite gems. The first being the downtown shop, Simple Pleasures. Simple Pleasures is a home decor and accessories shop styled much like Anthropologie and offering many of the same items. It's always a happy day when I can pop in for a few minutes and absorb a little interior inspiration. Recently the shop owner was kind enough to let me capture some images to share:Definitely worth a look, whether you are a local or just visiting for the day:Simple Pleasures176 Front StreetMarietta, OH 45750740.374.8600

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Spring has arrived and so has portrait session! I have a new camera (well, new to me. I bought an original 5D used on ebay), I've cracked out the old Polaroid and I've added a few new family sessions to the photography blog. If you're interested, check them out here.